Things you cannot bring into Australia

Fines of between $110 - $66,000 or more Per Offence may apply

Australian quarantine

Food, plant material and animal products from overseas could introduce some of the world's most serious pests and diseases into Australia, devastating our valuable agriculture and tourism industries and unique environment.

Declare or beware!

You must declare for inspection all food, plant material and animal products on arrival in Australia to ensure they are free of pests and diseases.

Some products may require treatment to make them safe. Other items that pose pest and disease risks will be seized and destroyed by AQIS. You can dispose of high-risk items in quarantine bins in the airport terminal.

If you're not sure, ask an AQIS officer.

The following is not a complete list of items that you must declare on arrival. In many cases, items you declare will be returned to you after inspection. Some may be allowed in if accompanied by an Import Permit (issued by AQIS prior to arrival), or with treatment in Australia to make them safe (fees and charges apply). Alternatively, you can drop them in quarantine bins at the airport.

There is a significant risk that the freshwater alga, Didymo could enter, establish and spread in Australia on used watercraft, sporting or fishing equipment.

If you are planning to bring fishing rods and nets, waders, kayaks, paddles, life jackets or any other recreational freshwater equipment into Australia, you should:

make sure all equipment is thoroughly cleaned and dry - not wet or damp, and

present all equipment (clean and unclean) to an AQIS officer for inspection when you arrive.

AQIS officers may send the equipment for treatment to make sure it is safe.

Before you land in Australia

You will be given an Incoming Passenger Card before you land in Australia. This is a legal document. You must tick YES to declare if you are carrying any food, plant material or animal products. If you have items you don't wish to declare, you can dispose of them in quarantine bins in the airport terminal.

On arrival your baggage may be X-Rayed, inspected or checked by a detector dog team. If you fail to declare or dispose of any quarantine items, or make a false declaration:

you will be caught

you could receive an on-the-spot fine of up to $AUD220, or

you could be prosecuted and face a fine of up to $AUD66,000 or 10 years imprisonment which may result in a criminal record.

You may not be penalised if goods are declared.

An important note for domestic passengers travelling on international flights:

If you're carrying food or other items subject to quarantine, you must show the AQIS officer a receipt or other document proving that the product is of Australian origin. If you cannot show proof, your goods will be seized.

Please note that some states prohibit the entry of fresh fruit from other parts of Australia.

What happens to items I declare?

In many cases items you declare will be returned to you after inspection. However, anything that presents a disease risk or is found to contain insects or larvae will be withheld. Depending on the quarantine risk, you can:

pay for the item to be treated to make it safe (for example fumigation, irradiation)*

store the item at the airport for collection when you leave Australia*

re-export the item* or

have the item destroyed by AQIS.

Treatment may damage goods. AQIS makes every effort to minimise the risk of damage but does not accept liability for damage that may occur as a result of treatment.

*These options are subject to fees, and special conditions may apply.

Detector dogs

Detector dogs are trained to detect food, plants, animals and their products in passengers' bags. If you see a detector dog working close to you, please place your bag on the floor. The dog will simply sit next to your bag if it finds something: an AQIS officer may ask you about what's in your bag, and check to make sure there's nothing that could present a quarantine risk to Australia.

Reporting quarantine and export breaches

Report suspected breaches of Australian quarantine, export or food inspection laws to the AQIS Redline (+61 800 803 006). It is a free telephone service that you can use to confidentially report someone you suspect of breaking Australian quarantine laws. You can also write confidentially to;